Raiders 2022 NFL Draft: Offense or Defense at pick No. 86

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ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces a pick by the Oakland Raiders during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Raiders 2022 NFL Draft: Offense or Defense at pick No. 86

The Defense Road

If the Raiders choose to go down the defensive road in the 3rd round, they should definitely consider an interior defensive lineman. Here’s why.

The new defensive coordinator, Patrick Graham, will use a defense that will be predicated on rushing the passer with only the front four. Plugging someone up the middle to complement Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones coming off the edge could make the Raiders’ defensive line a nightmare for opposing offenses.

Phidarian Mathis out of Alabama would be a great fit for the Raiders. If he falls to the Raiders at 86, they should definitely take him.

Hypothetically, if Mathis is gone before the Raiders are on the clock, which some draft experts think he will be, then it would not be the end of the world if they still want to go defense. For example, they still need a linebacker or cornerback.

For the Raiders to prevent Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, and Russell Wilson from running all over them, they are going to have a solid defense. They can start by addressing some key needs in the draft.

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